System for a sheet metalworking and a process thereof

Abstract

A system ( 100 ) for sheet metalworking comprising a punch ( 1 ) connectable to a press (P), wherein the punch ( 1 ) is configured with a first electrical terminal ( 2 ). A die ( 3 ) configured with a die surface (DS), to support sheet metal (SM). A support member ( 4 ) movably disposed in the die ( 1 ), the support member ( 4 ) is provided with a second electrical terminal ( 5 ). The support member ( 4 ) and the punch ( 1 ) contacts a working portion (B) of the sheet metal (SM) at an axis (A-A) to supply electric current to a localized region (LR) of the working portion (B) for sheet metalworking.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A system ( 100 ) for sheet metalworking, the system ( 100 ) comprising:
 a punch ( 1 ) connectable to a press (P), wherein the punch ( 1 ) is configured with a first electrical terminal ( 2 ); 
 a die ( 3 ) configured with a die surface (DS), to support sheet metal (SM); and
 a support member ( 4 ) movably disposed in the die ( 3 ), and configured with a base end and a tip end, the tip end proximal to the punch and defining a groove, the support member ( 4 ) is provided with a second electrical terminal ( 5 ) in the groove; and 
 an insulation strip ( 9 ) provided between the support member ( 4 ) and the second electrical terminal ( 5 ); 
 wherein, the support member ( 4 ) and the punch ( 1 ) contact a working portion (B) of the sheet metal (SM) at an axis (A-A) to supply electric current in pulses to a localized region (LR) of the working portion (B) for sheet metalworking, 
 wherein the localized region (LR) is defined by a contact portion of a tip end (TE) of the punch ( 1 ) and a tip end (TE) of the support member ( 4 ) on either sides of the sheet metal (SM), 
 wherein the electric current passes in the form of pulses from the tip end (TE) of the punch and the tip end (TE) of the support member ( 4 ) to the localized region (LR) of the working portion (B) on either sides of the sheet metal (SM). 
 
 
     
     
       2. The system ( 100 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the press (P) comprises a punch holder ( 6 ) for housing the punch ( 1 ). 
     
     
       3. The system ( 100 ) as claimed in  claim 2 , comprising an insulation layer ( 7 ) between the punch holder ( 6 ) and the punch ( 1 ) to prevent electric conductance. 
     
     
       4. The system ( 100 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the support member ( 4 ) displaces within the die ( 3 ) along the axis (A-A) when the punch is operated from a first position to a second position for sheet metalworking. 
     
     
       5. The system ( 100 ) as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the support member ( 4 ) at the first position is in contact at the working portion (B) of the sheet metal (SM) before the sheet metalworking. 
     
     
       6. The system ( 100 ) as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the support member ( 4 ) maintains the contact with the working portion (B) of the sheet metal (SM) in the second position. 
     
     
       7. The system ( 100 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the support member ( 4 ) is biased by a resilient member. 
     
     
       8. The system ( 100 ) as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the resilient member is a spring. 
     
     
       9. The system ( 100 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the die ( 3 ) comprises a slot ( 8 ) for accommodating reciprocal motion of the support member ( 4 ) between a first position and a second position. 
     
     
       10. The system ( 100 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each of the first electrical terminal ( 2 ) and the second electrical terminal ( 5 ) is connected to at least one of a positive and a negative terminal of a power source ( 10 ). 
     
     
       11. The system ( 100 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the punch ( 1 ) is configured with varying tip diameters for sheet metalworking. 
     
     
       12. The system ( 100 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the sheet metalworking is a plastic deformation process. 
     
     
       13. The system ( 100 ) as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the plastic deformation process is a bending process. 
     
     
       14. The system ( 100 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , comprises an adapter ( 12 ) configured to support load cell plates ( 13 ), wherein the load cell plates are configured to house at least one load cell ( 11 ) for determining load applied on the punch ( 1 ). 
     
     
       15. The system ( 100 ) as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the adapter ( 12 ) with the at least one load cell ( 11 ), is secured to the press (P). 
     
     
       16. The system ( 100 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the support member ( 4 ) and the punch ( 1 ) contact the working portion (B) of the sheet metal (SM) coaxially along the axis (A-A).